The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to ecosystem respiration and methane flux in an ephemeral plants-dominated desert

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Yue, P., Cui, X., Zuo, X., Li, K., Wang, S., Jia, Y., Misselbrook, T. H. and Liu, X. 2021. The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to ecosystem respiration and methane flux in an ephemeral plants-dominated desert. Land Degradation & Development. 32 (4), pp. 1844-1853. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3838

AuthorsYue, P., Cui, X., Zuo, X., Li, K., Wang, S., Jia, Y., Misselbrook, T. H. and Liu, X.
Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly influence the soil carbon cycle, however, their impacts on desert soils are still unclear. Here, a field control experiment, using in‐growth mesocosms, was conducted to quantitatively assess the contribution of AMF and ephemeral plants to ecosystem respiration (Re) and methane (CH4) flux in the Gurbantunggut Desert in China, from April to May 2017. Ephemeral plant biomass was significantly increased by AMF infection. Re was significantly positively correlated with AMF infection rate, whereas CH4 flux was significantly negatively correlated. The contribution of AMF to Re was up to 24%, comparable to the contribution of non‐AMF microbial respiration, which accounted for up to 36%, whereas the respiration of ephemeral plants accounted for 40%. Variation in Re was most strongly associated with soil organic carbon and soil available potassium concentrations and soil temperature. Non‐AMF microorganisms accounted for most of the CH4 flux (up to 85%). In contrast, AMF only accounted for 15% of total CH4 flux. The CH4 flux was significantly influenced by soil NO3−‐N content, soil moisture, soil temperature and soil NH4+‐N content. Overall, AMF significantly influenced Re and CH4 flux, and also enhanced the growth of ephemeral plants, which have an important role in the carbon cycle in desert ecosystems.

KeywordsArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Ecosystem respiration; Ephemeral plants; Methane flux; Soil microorganisms
Year of Publication2021
JournalLand Degradation & Development
Journal citation32 (4), pp. 1844-1853
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3838
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderBBSRC Newton funding
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeUK - China Virtual Joint Centre for Improved Nitrogen Agronomy (CINAG)
S2N - Soil to Nutrition - Work package 2 (WP2) - Adaptive management systems for improved efficiency and nutritional quality
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online28 Nov 2020
Publication process dates
Accepted25 Dec 2020
PublisherWiley
ISSN1085-3278

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